– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Apr 6, 2020

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds around 5 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation 30 percent in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. West winds around

10 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 30s.

Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Windy. Highs in the mid 40s. Northwest

winds 15 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow in

the evening, then slight chance of snow after midnight. Lows in

the upper 20s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain and snow in the

morning, then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in

the mid 40s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain and snow in

the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms (non-severe) are forecast
late this afternoon through tonight across southern North Dakota.

Windy conditions are expected across western and central North
Dakota on Wednesday.

River Watch…

Flood updates and water level updates for the …

Sheyenne River Level Through Valley City

Lake Ashtabula Level

James River level through Jamestown.

Jamestown Dam

National Weather Service

Water amounts in the snow pack

The Latest Flood Warnings from The National Weather Service

https://ndresponse.gov/flood-region

Fire Danger Map for North Dakota

Bismarck (NDDoH) The North Dakota Department of Health Sunday morning released the latest COVID-19 numbers in the state.

Sunday Apr 5, 2020

Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

Woman in her 50s from Burleigh County, under investigation
Man in his 50s from Burleigh County, under investigation
Woman in her 60s from Burleigh County, possible travel
Man in his 50s from Cass County, close contact
Man in his 20s from Cass County, close contact
Man in his 20s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 30s from Cass County, community spread
Man in his 60s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 30s from Cass County, close contact
Man in his 70s from Emmons County, community spread
Male age 10-19 from Grand Forks County, community spread
Woman in her 20s from McKenzie County, close contact
Woman in her 30s from Mountrail County, under investigation
Man in his 50s from Mountrail County, close contact
Woman in her 20s from Mountrail County, close contact
Woman in her 20s from Mountrail County, close contact
Woman in her 60s from Mountrail County, close contact
Man in his 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
Man in his 60s from Stark County, under investigation
Man in his 60s from Stark County, under investigation
Male age 0-9 from Stark County, close contact

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

BY THE NUMBERS

6787 – Total Tested (+580 individuals from yesterday)

6580 – Negative (+559 individuals from yesterday)

207 – Positive (+21 individuals from yesterday)

31 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

63 – Recovered (+0 individual from yesterday)

3 – Death (+0 individuals from yesterday)

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

(Monday, April 6, 2020) at 5:00 PM, The ValleyCity Auditor will draw each candidate(s) names(s) for position on the ballot for the 2020 election.

To minimize group size and contact, as recommended by state and federal government officials due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16, this will be televised on CSI Channel 68.

Jamestown (CSi) The local COVID-19 Response,Joint Briefing with City of Jamestown and Stutsman County representatives, was Friday April 3 at 2:30 pm.

Invited speakers are from: Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, South Central Human Services, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, and Jamestown Public Schools.

Central Valley Health District Administrator Robin Iszler said so far in Jamestown 144 test were performed at Sanford Clinic, and Jamestown Regional Medical Center, NO positives as of Friday.

She asks all residents to maintain social distance, and avoid gathering of more than ten people.

Anyone having a donation of masks is asked to call CVHD at 701-252-8130.

JRMC CEO Mike Delfs said, at 42 patients have been tested, using the State Lab for results…NO positives.

At the Hospital limited doors are open, and those entering will have their temperature taken and will be screened, with questions. “Rosie” the sanitizing robot continues to roam the hospital.

He is in touch with Sanford Health in Fargo, to match plans for future care needs.

He said criteria needs to be met before they may be tested for COVID-19.

The hospital is still available for other services, and call the hospital before entering the ER in person, and describe symptoms.

Stutsman County Auditor and COO, Nichole Meland said the courthouse is not accepting walk-ins, but the staff is working and available by phone.

She added that the June election will be by mail only, and no physical polling locations. There will be no early voting. Absentee voting forms will be mailed to residents, in order to be mailed an election ballot, starting later this month. Drop off locations of ballots will also be established.

Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said the April 6 City Council meeting will be a virtual meeting with the audio live on CSi Cable Channel 67, followed by replays. Residents can also call a phone number to listen to the meeting, as well.

He said programs are available for local businesses, including small business loans, that may be struggling, with either being closed, or offering limited services. He said programs are available for local businesses, that may be struggling, with either being closed, or offering limited services.including small business loans.

Asks residents to not be complacent in that there are no COVID-19 positives. He said there can be individuals with the virus, in Jamestown, and maintain social distancing.

He pointed out that he cannot modify any Governor Burgum, Executive Orders.

He reminded all Jamestown residents to fill out an return 2020 Census forms.

Jamestown School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Lech repeated that the schools virtual learning plan has been approved by the state. Students are learning by attending classes on home computers while schools are closed.

He said the full virtual learning plan is available to view at Jamestown Public Schools, including how other students learning needs are being met.

He added that the school district’s free meals are continuing and Louis L’Amour Elementary is being added. 600 free meals were served on Friday.

South Central Human Service Center, represented by Dan Kramer at the meeting, continues to maintain services, with crisis staff available 24/7, along with telehealth services.

The Crisis Line phone number is 701-252-6304, the business phone number is 701-252-6300.

The briefing was seen live on CSi TV 10 & Cable 67, followed by replays, amd The Replay Channel. It was also LiveStreamed it at Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel

The next meeting will be Tuesday April 7, at 2:30-p.m., and seen live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays there, and CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Officials with the Sanford Health Plan say the insurance carrier is waiving all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment through the end of May. The health plan will cover all costs for testing and treatment for its members, including outpatient care and inpatient hospital stays. It applies to all fully insured group and individual plans for its customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Out-of-pocket costs include medical co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance charges related to treatment for COVID-19. The announcement follows a similar move earlier this week by the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in those four states.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he’s worried about neighboring states that have yet to issue stay-at-home orders to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus. North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa were among a handful of states that did not have statewide orders in place as of Friday afternoon. Governors from those states said they have put a number of safeguards in place and many businesses are shut down. Walz says it’s likely that he will extent Minnesota’s order to the end of April. The Pioneer Press reports that Walz says the state’s residents are saving lives by following the rules set in place.

Bismarck (CSi) North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen, has explained the legal process to evict residents, and when the judicial process begins, if the tenant fails to abide by the evection notice.

The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled in regard to temporarily suspending evictions of tenants for the duration of the coronavirus emergency, within certain circumstances.

Governor Burgum said for tenants to notify their landlords if they have lost their jobs, and paycheck, and make arrangements for payment, and communicate with each other.

Bismarck (CSi) In response to the COVID-19 pandemic with funding from Congress included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and support from the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), the North Dakota Department of Human Services will be issuing extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for March and April to some SNAP households in the state.

The extra benefits will ensure that all SNAP households receive the maximum SNAP benefit for March and April. The department will provide extra benefits only to those households that did not receive the maximum benefit amount in March and April due to earned income. SNAP benefits typically decrease as a household’s income goes up, but the short-term policy change is intended to help address food insecurity during this unusual time.

Job Service ND has successfully implemented programming to accept 2 new Pandemic related claim types provided by the recently passed federal CARES Act.

With this implementation, Job Service is now able to accept online claims from independent contractors, gig economy workers, self-employed individuals, and workers who may have exhausted the benefits available to them under the regular Unemployment Insurance system.

Although claims will be accepted, the United States Department of Labor has not yet provided guidance to fully process these claims and has told states not to process or pay benefits until they provide the required rules and guidance. The guidance is expected to be provided to all states within the next week. After receipt of the guidance, Job Service will complete necessary additional programming and begin paying benefits under these programs.

Applicants should go to jobsnd.com and self-select the program they are applying for:

Bismarck (CSi) Between March 30 and April 3, 8 additional states were added to the ND Travel Quarantine List: Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennesse, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Travel Quarantine Orders from ND Health Dept as of March 28 were amended & clarified Sunday March 29, to list exemptions*. This order applies to those returning from affected states as listed following:

Travel Quarantine from the ND Health Department website:

Who’s Affected: All individuals traveling back to North Dakota from international locations and states in the U.S. that have been classified as having widespread disease by the CDC (list below) must quarantine immediately upon reentry to the state of North Dakota and for a period of 14 days. *Essential critical infrastructure workers, as defined by the United States Department of Homeland Security, are exempt from this order.

The latest North Dakota new stories posted at CSiNewsNow.com, along with recaps of Governor Doug Burgum’s News Briefings, along with videos.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council Meeting will be held on Monday April 6, 2020 as scheduled, at 5-p.m., as all Council Members will participate by phone, along with the City Administrator, and City Attorney.

The Public can access the meeting by either calling 877- 885-3221 and using conference code 8007228#. The meeting is also available on Cable Services channel 67. The Cable Services feed will provide audio only of the meeting.

City Administrator, Sarah Hellekson says phones from the public will all be muted, to eliminate background noise from every call.

Hellekson said people wanting to submit comments to the City Council can do so by calling City Hall at 252-5900. They must provide their name, address and any information they want to provide to the council to a person rather than by leaving a message. Comments can also be submitted by email at info@Jamestownnd.Gov. Please have questions in to City Hall by 3-p.m., each day of the meeting.

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown High School has postponed the 2020 prom. Originally scheduled for March 28, 2020, it’s now rescheduled to April 25 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Grades K-12 are now online or distance learning methods.

The prom committee lead adviser Dietz and high school physical science teacher Amber Roers had scheduled the dance for earlier in the spring to try and avoid conflicts with other spring activities.

Jamestown (uj) The University of Jamestown has announced that it plans to move its 2020 spring commencement to homecoming 2020 scheduled for the weekend of October 10-11, when Jimmie football hosts Doane University in its annual homecoming game October 11 Saturday at 2 p.m.

The plans are in place at this time pending the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that’s currently shutting down most forms of physical human contact from coast to coast.

Jamestown (CSi) The Salvation Army announced Friday the closure of its Jamestown Family Store, at 210 Business Loop West, which had temporarily closed due to COVID-19 safety guidelines

The permanent closure is effective immediately.

Maj. Judy Lowder in Jamestown said, “It’s not easy to close something that the people of Jamestown have enjoyed for many years. We made a concentrated effort to find a suitable location to move into, but we were unsuccessful after several months of searching.”

Only the Family Store is closing—The Salvation Army Worship and Service Center, at 320 1st Avenue North continues its operations unabated. Among the services offered there are food pantry, Pathway of Hope, rent and utility assistance, adult and youth programming and more.

In addition, the Worship and Service Center will now begin accepting clothing donations and will soon be hosting a monthly “Freebie Friday” event, during which clients can select clothing items they need at no cost.

To support Jamestown Salvation Army’s efforts, visit salvationarmynorth.org/jamestown to donate or for more information.

Valley City (SVCF) The Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation has opened a Barnes County COVID-19 Relief Fund which will provide emergency funding to support people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrea Nelson said, as the Director of Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, “While we know this pandemic is creating hardships for everyone at this time, the need for your support truly has never been greater. We are asking you to consider making a gift to the fund which will allow us to quickly address emerging needs.”

The Relief Fund will fund at-risk families in need of food and shelter while protecting them from eviction and utility shut-off.

It will also support organizations like APOC, Barnes County Food Pantry, City County Health Department, Barnes County Housing Authority and more. It will help provide access to those in need of mental health services and support our emergency and healthcare departments. It will support other critical needs identified now and the long term effects this will have.
We Can Address Emerging Needs.

They are currently accepting donations to help meet the needs and challenges nonprofits will face during the unsettled time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ways to Donate:
Give online: www.valleycitynd.org/covid-19
Send a check payable to the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation office
250 West Main St Valley City, ND 58072
Please add “Relief Fund” noted in the memo line

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A second person has died of injuries suffered in a crash caused by a homicide suspect fleeing from law enforcement in Milwaukee. A 23-year-old man died over the weekend after he was critically injured in a crash Friday that also caused the death of a 20-year-old woman. The 27-year-old suspect is wanted for a homicide in Minot, North Dakota. Police say he was being pursued by officers from the U. S. Marshals Service when he ran a red light and collided with another car. The case is expected to be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office soon.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s two largest newspapers are taking steps to trim costs amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Bismarck Tribune, along with all other newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises Inc., says it will furlough employees or cut pay in response to a drop in advertising revenue. Kevin Mowbray, president and CEO of Davenport, Iowa-based Lee Enterprises, says digital subscriptions have seen an “uptick” but advertising dollars are down substantially. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead says it will increase print delivery on Mondays and Fridays to cut expenses. The move, which takes effect next week, makes the Tribune the only newspaper that prints seven days a week in North Dakota.

In sports…

Bismarck (NDGF) Warmer weather is just around the corner. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, people naturally want to head outdoors. But this year it’s not business as usual.

North Dakota’s outdoors and its health benefits, including stress reduction, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and relief from anxiety, stress, and depression, are likely more important than ever. That’s why the North Dakota departments of Parks and Recreation and Game and Fish want to remind citizens who venture outdoors to avoid crowds and practice recommended social distancing.

Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand,says,”We encourage people to get outside and fish and enjoy the outdoors, but we also need to practice the recommendations for minimizing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Especially for anglers at popular shore-fishing locations, Steinwand said a good rule of thumb is that if you can reach out with a fishing rod and touch the person fishing next to you, you’re too close. “In other situations, we urge people to follow the 6-foot separation guideline as well,” Steinwand added.

The Parks and Recreation Department reported higher than usual traffic at state parks and other locations this past weekend and expected more of the same as the weeks continue. Parks and Recreation Interim Director Ryan Gardner says, “We have been seeing a lot of users out on the trails and biking around the parks. We saw a lot of people following proper social distancing rules and being respectful toward the natural landscape.”

Both Game and Fish and Parks and Recreation have closed all office buildings to public traffic, but Parks’ day-use facilities, including trails and boat ramps, remain open. Parks and Recreation reminds visitors that daily passes can be purchased at the iron rangers, and all annual passes can be purchased online.

Gardner adds, “We are continuing to work to find ways to let people still enjoy the parks during this time, and we also want to remind people that the OHV trails are open for the season.”

Steinwand says, Game and Fish is also keeping its public outdoor facilities, such as wildlife management areas and fishing waters, open for people to use, but agency staff are keeping an eye on popular shore-fishing areas to assess the level of activity.

He adds, “We depend on the public’s awareness and willingness to cooperate, but we’ll be monitoring some areas, and if it appears that the recommendations are not being followed, we might have to consider closing those areas because of the risk involved.”

Both agencies want to remind users to be mindful while outdoors, stay on marked trails, and if trails are too muddy to use, find another travel route. “If you pack it in, pack it out,” both Gardner and Steinwand agreed. “It’s important to leave North Dakota’s valuable natural resources in the same state in which you found them.”

VIRUS IN SPORTS….

(AP) Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey died late Saturday from what his family described as complications from the new coronavirus. He was 73.

Dempsey set an NFL record that stood for 43 years when he kicked a 63-yard, game-winning field goal for the New Orleans Saints against Detroit on Nov. 8, 1970. It wasn’t until 2013 that Matt Prater of the Broncos broke that record with a 64-yarder in Denver.

Dempsey’s success came despite being born without toes on his kicking foot. Dempsey kicked for 11 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo.

His daughter says Dempsey was diagnosed with dementia several years ago and was living in a New Orleans nursing home that was hit hard by the virus.

UNDATED (AP) — William Byron has won the third NASCAR virtual race in a series put together after the coronavirus pandemic stopped sports.

Byron easily captured the iRacing event Sunday at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway, where NASCAR would have been really racing before the coronavirus pandemic caused sports to shut down.

His victory came after he led the most laps in NASCAR’s first two virtual races and had nothing to show for his gaming skills.

The most entertaining part of Sunday’s event was the drivers’ gaming streams, where they argued and complained about one another. Bubba Wallace “rage quit” the game early after an accident and Daniel Suarez and Kyle Larson were parked after virtually tangling on track.

In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has launched a fundraising campaign to support local charitable groups addressing critical needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Beane is donating $20,000 to the community’s United Way chapter and providing incentives for Bills fans to get involved.

Fans who make a donation to the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund between Monday and April 17 will be eligible to win seven Bills-themed experiences or prizes.

— Major League Soccer’s 25th season is on hold indefinitely because of the coronavirus outbreak, but league officials and coaches still hope the league will be able to get in a full season and with fans in attendance. The league had set a target date for re-starting on May 10, although that now seems unlikely. Today is the anniversary of the first MLS match.

— England defender Kyle Walker is facing disciplinary action from English Premier League team Manchester City after appearing to break lockdown conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Walker apologized on Sunday after it was widely reported he held a party involving two sex workers at his home last week, breaking the government’s rules on social distancing. The country is in the middle of a three-week lockdown. The team says it will look into Walker’s conduct.

— A Serbian soccer player has been sentenced to three months of home detention for flouting a curfew imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. Striker Aleksandar Prijovic pleaded guilty at a video link trial in Belgrade on Saturday. Police had arrested him and 19 others for gathering at a hotel lobby bar in Belgrade on Friday and violating the country’s 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. lockdown orders. He is the second Serbian soccer player to be caught violating the stay-at-home orders. Those who violate the restrictive measures could face up to three years in jail.

— Soccer players in Spain are criticizing the Spanish league’s decision to ask clubs to put the footballers on government furloughs during the coronavirus crisis. The league on Friday said the furloughs were needed because there was no agreement on the size of the salary cuts that players must take to reduce the financial impact of the pandemic. In a statement Sunday, Spain’s players’ association said the league should have created a financial cushion for this period. The league and the players’ association have been in talks to try to find ways to mitigate losses if the season cannot be restarted because of the pandemic.

— Australia’s triathlon world champion Mirinda Carfrae has found virtual reality competitions created to sustain sport amid the coronavirus outbreak have unexpected hazards. The three-time world ironman champion was competing against Jocelyn McCauley of the United States, Canada’s Angela Naeth and Jeanni Seymour of South Africa in the inaugural Ironman VR Pro Challenge women’s race when disaster struck: Her husband tripped over the cord of her smart trainer, disconnecting it and putting her out of the race.

OBIT..

UNDATED (AP) — A Pro Football Hall of Famer and a record-setting kicker have died.

The Hall of Fame says that speedy halfback and receiver Bobby Mitchell has died at 84. The Hall of Fame hasn’t provided other details.

Mitchell spent 11 seasons in the NFL. He played halfback for the Browns from 1958-61 and was a flanker for Washington from 1962-68, becoming the first African American to sign with the Redskins. Mitchell was a three-time All-NFL selection and played in four Pro Bowls.

Mitchell ran for 1,462 yards and accumulated over 3,700 total yards over four seasons for a Browns backfield that featured Jim Brown. He immediately became one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers upon arrival in Washington, leading the league with 72 receptions and 1,384 receiving yards in 1962. Mitchell also led the NFL with 1,436 receiving yards in 1963, including a 99-yard touchdown.

Mitchell retired with the second-most combined offensive yards and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-HAGANS-NBA

Hagans entering NBA draft

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky guard Ashton Hagans is giving up his last two seasons of college eligibility to enter the NBA draft, saying the time is now to pursue his dream of playing professionally.

The 6-foot-3 Hagans was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and became one of the country’s best point guards this past season.

He averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals last season, but he also clashed with coach John Calipari. Hagans argued with forward Nick Richards and coach Calipari and reportedly refused to re-enter in the second half of a home loss to Tennessee. Calipari downplayed the incident afterward.

In world and national news…

LONDON (AP) — The United States and Britain are bracing for one of the darkest weeks in living memory as they become the new epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized overnight, as deaths spiked in the country. In the U.S., the surgeon general described the days to come as a “Pearl Harbor moment.” Deaths appeared to be slowing in Spain, Italy and France. Leaders cautioned, however, that any gains could easily be reversed if there’s backsliding on strict lockdowns. More than 9,600 people have died of the virus in the United States, and more than 69,000 have succumbed worldwide.

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in charge of the government despite being hospitalized in what his office described as a “precautionary step” after contracting the new coronavirus. Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told the BBC that Johnson is awaiting the results of tests after spending the night in an undisclosed hospital. Jenrick did not rule out a more prolonged stay, and noted that Johnson had been working “phenomenally hard’’ in this “uniquely intense period.’’ The 55-year-old leader had been quarantined in his Downing St. residence since being diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 26 — the first known head of government to fall ill with the virus.

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares and U.S. futures have rebounded as investors grasped at threads of hope that the battle against the coronavirus pandemic may be making some progress in some hard-hit areas. Markets in Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney gained more than 2% in early trading and Hong Kong was up nearly 1%. New York futures were about 3% higher. The gains followed another Friday session of losses after the U.S. said employers cut 701,000 more jobs than they added last month, the first drop in nearly a decade. Investors fled the market ahead of the weekend. Oil prices were lower.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s military says at least three rockets struck near the site of an American oil field service company in southern Iraq, causing no casualties. In a statement, the military says the rockets were fired early on Monday, targeting the site of Halliburton in the Burjesia area in the oil-rich Basra province. Halliburton is an American oil service provider working in the Zubair oil field, which is operated by the Italian ENI. Monday’s attack was the first since last summer to target U.S. oil companies working in the oil-rich south.